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Biomedical subjects

P Messina

Publications and source records attributed to P Messina.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Microvascular characteristics of the human filiform papillae: a videocapillaroscopic study.

The aim of this study was to observe the microcirculation characteristics of the human filiform papillae in healthy patients in vivo. Twenty healthy patients were examined using lingual capillaroscopy to investigate the characteristics of microcirculation of the human filiform papillae. Visibility, course, tortuosity, as well as the possible presence of microhemorrhages, the average caliber of the capillary loops and the number of visible capillary loops per square millimeter were evaluated for each patient. The investigation was simple, non-invasive and repeatable for each patient. Microcirculation architecture was characterized by a network of capillaries in polygonal mesh with parallel orientation in regard to the surface. Rare microhemorrhages were observed. The caliber of visible capillary loops was 12.50 +/- 1.46 microm (mean +/- SD). The number of visible capillaries was 9.88 +/- 1.06 (mean +/- SD). Our study shows that capillaroscopy of lingual filiform papillae is a practicable method. Future studies might evaluate whether microcirculation in that area is compromised or not during systemic pathologies involving peripheral microcirculation alterations. This method could also be applied to the study of microcirculation in pathologies which strictly pertain to the dental stomatological field.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A randomized trial assessing the effectiveness of different concentrations of isotretinoin in the management of lichen planus.

The aim of our 10-year study was to test the effectiveness of topical therapy based on 0.18% isotretinoin, comparing it with that most frequently used, i.e. at 0.05% concentration. Seventy patients with an established diagnosis of oral lichen planus were involved in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, and the drug was administered topically at 0.05% and 0.18% concentrations. The drug at the higher concentration, according to the same protocol, was administered to the patients who did not benefit from the therapy at the lower concentration. None of the cases of reticular lichen planus showed clinical or histological improvement. In contrast, the atrophic-erosive forms showed a significant improvement, both clinical and histological: in 26 patients (at 0.18% concentration) and in nine patients (at 0.05% concentration), the symptoms, as well as the erosions or ulcers observed, disappeared. The disappearance of dysplasic phenomena was observed at 0.18% concentration. Topical application of the drug was accompanied by an increase in soreness and pain, as well as greater sensitivity to hot foods. However, these side effects were transitory, and considered acceptable by the patients. The proposed therapeutic protocol was effective towards highly active atrophic-erosive oral lichen planus with dysplasic phenomena, which is the form of the disease at higher risk of malignant evolution.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of the clinical and histological effectiveness of isotretinoin in the therapy of oral leukoplakia: ten years of experience: is management still up to date and effective?

Various studies have evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of vitamin A derivatives in the treatment of oral leukoplakia (OL). Not all the studies have shown concordant results. The aim of our study, which has a 10-year follow-up, was to test the effectiveness of topical therapy based on 0.18% isotretinoin by comparing it with that most frequently used, i.e., at 0.05% concentration. Forty patients with an established diagnosis of OL were involved in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and the drug was administered topically at 0.05% and 0.18% concentrations. The drug was applied twice a day for 3 consecutive months; then it was suspended for 1 month, and the biopsy sample was repeated for the histological follow-up. The higher concentration of the drug, according to the same protocol, was administered to patients who did not benefit from the lower concentration. The results showed a significant reduction in lesions (85%), with no documented topical or systemic adverse reactions at 0.18% concentration. A significant reduction of the aggressiveness of the disease and the disappearance of dysplastic phenomena were observed histologically. The proposed therapeutic protocol was effective toward highly active oral leukoplakia with dysplastic phenomena, and therefore at higher risk of malignant progression.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

Periodontal microcirculatory abnormalities in patients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to observe the differences in periodontal microcirculation between healthy patients and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Fifteen healthy patients and 15 patients with SSc were examined. Periodontal capillaroscopy was used to investigate the characteristics of microcirculation. The visibility, course, tortuosity, possible presence of microhemorrhages, average caliber of the capillary loops, and number of visible capillary loops per square millimeter were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: The investigation was simple, non-invasive, and repeatable for each patient. In patients with SSc, it was possible to observe a reduced number of capillaries and a greater capillary diameter and tortuosity. CONCLUSIONS: Capillary alterations in patients with SSc are not limited to the nailfold bed but also occur in periodontal mucosa microcirculation. Such evidence could be extremely important in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal diseases in patients with SSc.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Oral capillaroscopy: a new diagnostic method].

The morphological-functional study of microcirculation is of fundamental importance; in fact, the microvascular bed is directly involved both in autoimmune etiopathogenesis pathologies, and in acute and chronic inflammatory etiopathogenesis pathologies. Oral capillaroscopy is a very stimulating method for studying microcirculation, because of the possibility of studying small vessels in vivo by means of a microscope. Today, it is becoming more reliable thanks to the improvement of the observation tools (photography, videomicroscopy).

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Vasodilatation of human gingiva and neurogenic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Neurogenic Inflammation (NI) is the consequence of amyelinic-sensitive neuron activation. Recent studies on rats proved that NI could be experimentally induced by topical capsaicin application. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of topical capsaicin application on human periodontal mucosa and to assess if NI might have a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. METHODS: 15 patients were examined in our laboratory. NI was experimentally induced in the gingival mucosa close to: (1) the interdental papilla corresponding to the upper central incisors; (2) the interdental papilla corresponding to the lower left lateral incisor and canine after ipsilateral nerve trunk anaesthesia. The characteristics of gingival microcirculation were observed using computerised videocapillaroscopic techniques. RESULTS: axon-reflected vasodilatation was observed close to the papilla corresponding to the upper central incisors. An important correlation was observed between capsaicin application and capillary tortuosity. No significant modifications in vascular diameter and tortuosity were observed after capsaicin application close to the interdental papilla corresponding to the lower left lateral incisor and canine. CONCLUSIONS: the study shows that NI can be induced in human gingiva, and such evidence could be extremely important in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in patients with systemic scleroderma.

The decreased mouth opening (microstomia) represents a frequent finding in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSD), but little information is available about the efficacy of nonsurgical management of this condition. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in a group of 10 SSD patients with severe microstomia (maximal mouth opening < or =30 mm). The subjects were instructed to perform an exercise program including both mouth-stretching and oral augmentation exercises. The effects of such exercises were assessed after an 18-week period by measuring the maximal mouth opening of each subject. All patients completed the study and no adverse effects occurred, with the exception of transient muscular fatigue. The exercise program improved the mouth opening of all subjects (mean increase: 10.7+/-2.06 mm, P<0.005), without significant differences between dentate and edentulous ones (P>0.1). At the end of the 18-week period, all patients commented that eating, speaking and oral hygiene measures were easier. The edentulous subjects also experienced less difficulty inserting their own dentures. These findings suggest that regular application of the proposed exercise program may be useful in the management of microstomia in SSD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Stress domains in Si(111)/a-Si3N4 nanopixel: ten-million-atom molecular dynamics simulations on parallel computers

Parallel molecular dynamics simulations are performed to determine atomic-level stresses in Si(111)/Si(3)N4(0001) and Si(111)/a-Si3N4 nanopixels. Compared to the crystalline case, the stresses in amorphous Si3N4 are highly inhomogeneous in the plane of the interface. In silicon below the interface, for a 25 nm square mesa stress domains with triangular symmetry are observed, whereas for a rectangular, 54 nmx33 nm, mesa tensile stress domains ( approximately 300 A) are separated by Y-shaped compressive domain wall. Maximum stresses in the domains and domain walls are -2 GPa and +2 GPa, respectively.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Cosmetic reconstruction of the mons veneris and lower abdominal wall by skin expansion as the last stage of the surgical treatment of bladder exstrophy: a report of three cases.

The results of the correction of the medial scar depression and diastasis of the pubic hair of the mons veneris in three postpuberal female patients operated on for bladder exstrophy are reported. The reconstructive surgery is carried out using skin expanders. The expanded skin is utilized to create two dermoadipose flaps to fill the medial depression, to outline again the public hair areas, and to allow sutures without tension.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1990

[Cohen's uretero-vesical reimplantation in the treatment of primary obstructive mega-ureter].

The usual surgical treatment of primary obstructive megaureter consists of ureteral tailoring, according to H. Hendren's procedure, and reimplantation using Politano-Leadbetter technique. The Authors report their experience with trans-trigonal reimplantation (Cohen's ureteroneocystostomy) in case of primary obstructive megaureter. This procedure has been performed either in case of tailored megaureters than in those in which ureteral tailoring was not necessary. Considering its easy handling and safety, Cohen's technique has been indicated as method of choice for ureteral reimplantation even in case of primary obstructive megaureter, basing on successful experience on the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. A current objection to the trans-trigonal technique for obstructive megaureter is the possibility of a postoperative reflux in the reimplanted megaureter (tailored or not), because of the difficulty in obtaining an adequate submucosal tunnel (unbalanced length/width ratio). The Authors report a 3 year experience on a common surgical treatment of primary obstructive megaureter. 56 cases were treated (bilateral megaureter in 3 cases) by trans-trigonal reimplantation (Cohen's ureteroneocystostomy) in addition to ureteral tailoring (Hendren's technique) in 46 cases or Kalicinski plication in 6. Finally, in 4 cases no tailoring procedure was needed (simple excision of the restricted terminal ureter). No postoperative complications nor cystographic evidence of postoperative reflux have been recorded in all cases (follow-up = 6-36 months), remarking this technique as safe and effective.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Lack of correlation between HLA-B35 resistance against herpes labialis and antibody titers to HSV-1.

To investigate whether genetic factors linked to the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) might influence individual resistance to recurrent herpes labialis (RHL), we studied the frequencies of HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens in a sample of Sicilian population. The frequency of HLA-B35 was significantly decreased in the patient group (p corrected = 0.018). Consequently, the relative risk of development of RHL in a subject positive for HLA-B35 was 20 times smaller than in a subject who does not bear B35. Furthermore, a study was made of the possible relationship between the presence of HLA-B35 antigen and antibody titers to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in 62 persons affected or not by RHL. Significantly elevated titers to HSV-1 were found in the diseased group (p less than 0.001), but the geometric mean of antibody titers in HLA-B35 positive subjects was not different from that of B35 negative subjects either of RHL-affected or in healthy persons. These data are in a good agreement with the hypothesis that humoral immune responses play a marginal role in the protection from HSV-1 recurrences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

MHC-linked genetic factors (HLA-B35) influencing recurrent circumoral herpetic lesions.

The frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DR, and DQ lymphocyte alloantigens were determined in 31 Sicilian patients with recurrent herpetic lesions (RHL) and compared to frequencies observed in normal individuals. A significant negative association was found for HLA-B35 (pc = 0.049). The relationships between HLA and immune responses to viral infections are discussed in light of the results revealed by the present investigation suggesting that HLA-linked genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of RHL. The results seem to indicate that genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are influential against developing RHL.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

HLA-A, B, C, DR, MT, and MB antigens in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

In this report we have investigated the frequencies of HLA-A, B, C, DR, MT, and MB markers in 26 Sicilian subjects affected by recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and in 84 healthy controls. Our data show that the frequency of HLA-DR7 antigen is significantly increased in RAS-affected persons (61.5% versus 21.4%; pc less than 0.0025), whereas the B5 antigen frequency is decreased significantly (absent in patients versus 27.3% in controls; pc = 0.04). Thus, present results suggest that HLA-linked genetic factors may play a role in the development of RAS.

Adult↗